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NYMETROPARENTS.COM Helping Parents Make Better Decisions
JANUARY 2020
Education Decisions • Choosing the right school for your child • Questions to ask on a tour • Schools and resources
What’s the big deal about Tiktok? Our favorite podcasts for kids
Expires 1/31/2020. Expires 1/31/2020. Expires 1/31/2020.
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January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
JCC Rockland
OPEN HOUSE JAN 26 8AM-2PM
A warm & engaging learning environment FOR CHILDREN 6 WEEKS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION OPENS FEB 2020
West Nyack Road, West Nyack, New York 10994 JCC Rockland 450 845.501.4100 jccrockland.org/dkecc
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inside
Original photo by Sarah Merians Photography & Video Company (sarahmerians.com) Clothing courtesy Macy’s Backstage (macysbackstage.com)
january 2020 16 Choices, Choices, Choices How to choose the best learning environment for your child
18 School Tour Questions These will help you guage which school is right for your child
20 Our Favorite Podcasts For Kids These audio stories are a great substitute for screens
34 What’s the Big Deal About TikTok? A primer for parents whose kids are captivated
36 Is Your Child Being Cyberbullied? Learn how to read the signs, and how to help
COLUMNS 6 Editor’s Note 9 News: What’s happening in the community 12 Dad and Buried: Ask Mike
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14 Mommybites: Only Child No More 42 Last Word: What’s Your New Year’s Resolution For Your Kids?
THINGS TO DO 23 Family Activities Calendar 32 Outing: Best Kept Secrets: AMNH
RESOURCES 19 Education Directory 37 Professional Services
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32
36
38 Party Central 41 Advertisers’ Index
NYMetroParents
Helping Parents Make Better Decisions facebook.com/nymetroparents
@NYMetroParents
Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
Thinking of changing schools? Consider a Catholic education for your child! Are you moving to a new home? Interested in helping your child succeed academically in a safe, structured learning environment? If so, now is the time to invest in a Catholic education. Catholic schools provide a curriculum based on faith, respect and service to others; and our Math/ELA proficiency test scores have outpaced New York public schools for each of the last five years. Online admissions are now open! Apply before April 15, 2020, and save $100/child in registration fees! Or book a Touring Tuesday date or personal tour at any of these Rockland schools:
SACRED HEART SCHOOL 60 Washington Avenue, Suffern
ST. MARGARET SCHOOL 34 North Magnolia Street, Pearl River
ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL 34 West Nyack Road, Nanuet
ST. PAUL SCHOOL 365 Kings Highway, Valley Cottage
ST. GREGORY BARBARIGO SCHOOL 29 Cinder Road, Garnerville
Catholic Schools Online Admissions Open Now! Apply at CatholicSchoolsNY.org/apply or over the phone at (646) 794-2885
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editor’s note
JANUARY 2020 • Vol.13 • No.4
NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com
EDITORIAL
New Year, New Look!
T
he New Year always seems to mark a time when we can turn over a new leaf and start fresh (even if you’re not really into the whole resolution thing). And what better way for us to start fresh than with a new look?! We’ve updated both our design and editorial content to give you what you want—all to help you make better decisions for your family. You can still find a robust calendar near the middle of the issue (p. 23) with events organized by type—educational activities, events for kids who love nature, maker activities, ways to get active, museums and exhibits, and more—so you can find the perfect things to do with your kids. You’ll also find articles that help you be a better parent. In this issue, you’ll learn why TikTok is so popular and whether it’s okay for your teen (p. 34), and how to tell if your child may be a victim of cyberbullying and what you can do about it (p. 36). If you’re a fan of podcasts and have wondered if there are any good ones for kids, turn to p. 20. We rounded up our favorites for little kids, big kids, and teens. The best part? You’ll find them entertaining and fascinating, too, so you can listen together! And don’t miss our new column, Ask Mike (p. 12), featuring the wise, humorous, and tell-it-like-it-is advice from Mike Julianelle, the dad behind @DadandBuried. While enjoying our fresh start, we hope you’re successful in yours, whatever it may be. Happy New Year! Katelin Walling Editorial Director
Helping Parents Make Better Decisions
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling PRODUCTION EDITOR: Melissa Wickes FEATURES EDITOR: Shana Liebman ASSISTANT EDITOR: Jacqueline Neber CALENDARS CALENDAR COORDINATOR: Whitney C. Harris EVENT RESEARCHERS: Kristina Johnson, Shara Levine DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke COPY EDITOR: Christina Vercelletto
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Meet This Month’s Cover Kid! The teen on our January cover is 13-year-old (almost 14—happy birthday!) Jordan from Nassau County—a grand-prize winner in our 2019 Cover Kids Contest! A huge thanks to Macy’s Backstage for the outfit Jordan’s rocking, and an even bigger shout out to Sarah Merians of Sarah Merians Photography & Video Company (sarahmerians.com) for the amazing photo! Want to know when the 2020 cover contest opens? Sign up for our newsletter at nymetroparents.com/newsletter! January 2020 | nymetroparents.com 6
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BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN • ROCKLAND PARENT, STATEN ISLAND PARENT, and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2019, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher.
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MAKE THE MOST OF PLAYTIME LAUNCH RIGHT IN WITH . . .
a SUPER SPACECRAFT!
GATHER THESE MATERIALS:
Pencil
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Paper towel tube
2. Draw a rounded 1. Lay a toilet
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nose to the traced shape. Then draw two rounded triangles for wings.
Small piece of cardboard
Markers or paint
3. Cut out the shape.
Scissors
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Paper
5. Glue your cut tube on top of the cardboard in the shape of a spacecraft, and let it dry.
4. Trace the bottom of a toilet paper tube on top of another. Then cut out the round shape.
6. Color or paint your spacecraft. You
can also decorate it with stickers. Place a small toy inside and go for a ride. Tell a story about where you’re going!
TinkerActive Workbooks cover essential skills using curriculum-based exercises and interactive tinkering, making, and engineering activities using common household materials!
The Active Way to learn through play 8
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
Glue
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An imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
AVAILABLE WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD
News
A rendering of New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium’s Urban Jungle exhibit, which will feature some of the most fearsome freshwater creatures, including red-bellied piranhas
City Under the Sea The NYC-themed New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium is slated to open this spring.
SEA LIFE, the world’s largest network of aquariums, recently announced its newest location: East Rutherford, NJ—at American Dream to be exact. The 25,000-square-foot New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium will feature more than 3,000 different creatures in more than 10 exhibits inspired by New York City’s most memorable moments and experiences. “It offers a new wave of underwater adventures,” said Julie Estrada, head of public relations of North America for Merlin Entertainments, which owns and operates SEA LIFE as well as many other locationbased family entertainment experiences. “What’s amazing about it is, it’s really designed to be a child’s first experience with an aquarium.” Find out more details at nymetroparents.com/sealife.
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Courtesy Andrea Worthington
News
Houseplant Love Jan. 10 is National Houseplant Appreciation Day, so show yours a little extra love—just be careful not to overwater them! Don’t have any of your own? Check out the nine reasons they’re good for your family (nymetroparents.com/ plants), then head out and pick up a few. Andrea Worthington with her daughter, who’s the reason BabyGotChat.com was created 5 years ago
Healthy Family, Happy Family Teach your kids to sing “Happy Birthday” twice while washing hands for proper cleaning; ensure your children know the etiquette for coughing and sneezing—use a tissue or the crux of your arm— and model these actions; sanitize surfaces in the home—doorknobs, dining surfaces, remote controls, and telephones; and practice good food hygiene by sanitizing countertops and cooking surfaces regularly, always using a clean cutting board, and avoiding mixing uncooked plant- and animalbased foods. —Philip Tierno, Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Langone Medical Center, on keeping your family healthy during flu season
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The Mom Behind @BabyGotChat
A
ndrea Worthington launched BabyGotChat.com when she moved from Manhattan to Westchester as a soon-to-be-mom in 2014. “I made it my mission to find out all the things I could do with my new daughter. I did so much research it felt weird not sharing it with other moms who are just as eager to get out and about with their kids,” she says. Worthington started by posting about local events, along with tips and tricks, and has continued—three kids later and now with savvy Facebook and Instagram accounts (@babygotchat). “I also love sharing tips I’ve learned to make parenting easier,” she says.
What’s the best parenting advice you ever received?
What’s the best parenting advice you can give?
The advice I relate to the most is that our kids are more perceptive than we may care to admit, and the best thing you can do as a parent is relax if you want them to relax, have fun if you want them to have fun. I pay attention to my emotional temperature and I find that if I’m emitting the wrong vibes, it’s time to take a quick time out to reset myself so I can be a more stable presence.
Kids are flexible, so don’t be afraid to do little things to make your life easier. For example, we have a rule that our kids’ favorite toys, their loveys, don’t leave bed. This means we’ll never lose them in a parking lot or at an amusement park. Sure, they can bring other toys out with them sometimes, but it’s never their must-have animal.
Read more from Worthington at nymetroparents.com/babygotchat
Connect with us
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
facebook.com/nymetroparents
@nymetroparents
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New Places, New Programs Smile More Dentistry Gives Back Mariliza LaCap, D.D.S., and Darren Tong, D.D.S., of Smile More Dentistry hosted their annual Day of Free Dentistry event on Oct. 8, 2019 at the Bergenfield, NJ offices. “We chose the month before Thanksgiving for our Day of Free Dentistry because we are so thankful for the blessings we have received throughout our dental career. Our entire team is excited to be able to give much needed care to those who cannot afford the treatment,” Dr. LaCap said. “We felt this was a great way to...give back to the community.” 19 Legion Drive, Bergenfield, NJ (201817-5093) and 140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan (845-580-2127); smilemoredentist.com.
Demarest, NJ Students Honored for Achievements Academy of Holy Angels chose three students and one alternate to attend the 2020 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference, which aims to develop and inspire a global community of youth through a variety of international programming. Katherine Day, Brooke Hess, and Ria Jani were selected, with Natasha Dhanrajani named as the alternate. 315 Hillside Ave., Demarest, NJ; 201-768-7822; holyangels.org.
Advocating for Unity Day
Charles Kolin, a junior at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, CT, has overcome bullying to spearhead an initiative that will hopefully result in Unity Day (Oct. 23) being officially recognized by Congress as a day for students to come together in support of kindness, tolerance, and respect. Charles is working with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT), as well as the PACER Organization in Minnesota, to raise support for the resolution. Read more about Charles at nymetroparents. com/unityday.
What to Do When Your Child is the Bully
Snow days are the best days! (And thank you for the reminder to live in the moment, kiddo ) —Posted by @nihaonewyork Want to see your child in our magazine? Tag us on Instagram for a chance to be featured!
Make sure your child knows the behavior is unacceptable and you expect it to stop. Then discuss the reasons behind the bullying to see if you can come up with alternative suggestions. Talk about how your child made the other child feel, relating times when your child might have felt the same way. Finally, brainstorm ideas of what your child might do to make the other child feel better. —Karen Horowitz, director of the Parenting Resource Network at the Friedberg JCC in Oceanside
RocklandParent 11
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Dad and Buried
Ask Mike My son was dying to take drum lessons, so I signed him up and bought him a practice pad. Now, a few weeks later, he doesn’t want to practice and says he hates playing the drums. Should I force him to stay with it because it’s important to learn commitment, or let him quit and figure out something else he’s passionate about? —Allison R., Astoria, Queens
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T
his is a tough one, and I feel for you. I can’t imagine allowing my son to play the drums in the house. The kid is a walking migraine already! But hey, more power to you. As for the actual question—is it more important to teach kids perseverance and commitment than it is to stop the whining? It’s not an easy one. My 9-year-old likes two things: video games (Zelda) and reading (Percy Jackson). We encourage the latter, and we try to limit the former by promoting a wider range of interests beyond screen-time. But it’s not easy! I’m not sure if you know this, but children are stubborn. And often lazy. And sometimes annoying. And mine talk too much. Plus, they won’t go to bed on time. And don’t get me started on the snacking. Also—wait. I’ve gotten off-track. I think you need to gauge your son’s personality before making a decision. Does he have a track record of bailing on things? Or is this truly a case of the drums just not being for him? If you’re secure in the fact that percussion just isn’t for him and that there’s something else out there to wet his whistle, something he’ll give 110 percent to, I see no need to belabor it. But if it’s part of a trend—if he tends to quit activities he enjoys when the going gets tough—then maybe it’s a good idea to put on the black hat and force him to keep at it. Just make him practice in the basement. Our advice column features the wise and humorous commentary of Mike Julianelle, a 40-something blogger and influencer (aka @dadandburied), who lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two kids.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MIKE? Send it to editor@nymetroparents.com with the subject “Mike’s Advice.” 12
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
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mommybites
Only Child No More 12 things to do with your first child before the second one arrives By Christina Vercelletto
D
uring your second pregnancy, it’s normal to have mixed feelings as your party of three nears its end. While there are even sweeter days ahead, you may feel melancholy and nervous about the change. How do you savor the waning weeks, while soothing any trepidation your child may be feeling? We came up with 12 ways to make this time memorable and reassuring. Make your child king (or queen) for a day. Designate a day when your kiddo is unequivocally in charge (within reason). After making it clear that she can’t, say, shave the dog, let her dictate what you do, where you go, and what you eat for an entire day. (Just keep reminding yourself this is a one-off. There is no harm in eating marshmallows for breakfast just this once.) Be spontaneous. Since spur-of-the-moment is not going to be in your vocabulary for a little while, surprise him with a favorite adventure you’ve planned for the day. Take a family portrait. Capture the final moments of your “first family” for posterity—and for your child. She’ll likely enjoy posing between her parents. And order a framed print to hang in her room. Pick out a big kid bed. Not only does leaving the crib behind have a practical urgency, but it will make your child feel important and grown-up. Do this sooner rather than later to help ensure that lastminute jitters don’t make him cling to the crib. Also have him choose his bedding—even if it clashes with the walls you just painted. Make something for the nursery. Explain that you need help decorating the baby’s room and suggest she create a masterpiece in whatever medium she prefers. Alternatively, browse through her artwork and ask if she’d be willing to donate one to the nursery. Define “the baby.” Make sure your child knows exactly who you’ll be bringing home from the hospital—i.e. an immobile,
sleepy, wee creature, rather than a playmate. If you can’t introduce him to a newborn, show him videos and pictures online. Come up with a secret language. Even if she’s 5 or 6 years old, she’s not yet able to clearly express herself when she feels jealous, worried, or confused. Come up with a simple signal—a word or a hand gesture—your child can use when she needs your reassurance. Take a sibling-moon. An inexpensive yet intimate mini vacation is bound to make your child feel special. Plan a trip to see relatives who can shower your soon-to-be big sib with 1-on-1 attention. Or hole up in a nearby hotel and order room service for three. Answer his questions. As much as you may try to hide any nervousness, you’re likely acting differently. The best thing you can do is explain as much as you can about everything that is going on. Answer his questions as completely and honestly as possible. Read her stories. Nightly story time may be difficult to maintain for a couple weeks after birth, so use the opportunity now to prepare her for what’s ahead. Let your child choose a few books about becoming a big sibling and turn the pages slowly so she has time to ask questions. Go shopping. Let your child pick out a welcome gift for the new baby, and then select a present for him. (T-shirts are popular, as are keepsakes or a toy your child has had his eye on.) Whether you frame it as a gift from the baby or from you as parents, it’s a way of celebrating your child’s transition to becoming a big sister or brother. Pack her a bag. Even if your child will stay at home with friends or family, prep a bag for her that makes her feel like an official member of Team Baby. Pack pajamas, toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, and a change of clothes. Then tuck in a note about how much you love her—and how much you know the baby will too.
Mommybites’ nanny boards only feature postings from nannies’ current families. You can rely on their recommendations. If you need a nanny or babysitter, visit Mommybites.com. 14
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NYMetroParents.com is parents' Party Central—one-stop shopping for the best in: H Party Places (for the trendiest, newest, or most classic locale) H Entertainers (clowns, balloon twisting, magicians, spa parties & so much more!) H Gift-Giving (from charitable ideas to the best presents for every age) H At-Home Party Themes (think pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…) H Planning Help H Tips & Tricks from the Pros (…and parents who’ve been there!) Bergen•RocklandParent NORTH
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Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins
How to Manage Kids’ Schedules
What Makes a Good Mentor?
+ 174 Family
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(see our calendar, p. 26)
(see our calendar, p. 32)
Events
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Plus: Learning to Let Go
Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child
Where-To Guide: Berry Picking
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Dinosaur Fun
Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science
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RocklandParent 15
Choices, Choices, Choices Our area provides families with a variety of school options, allowing you to choose the best learning environment for your child. By Katelin Walling
W
e all worry about whether we’re making the best choices for our kids, and one thing most of us fret over is whether our children are getting the best education possible that is suited to their needs. In a lot of areas in the country, traditional district public schools may be the only option for kids. But living in the New York metro area, we are #blessed with an abundance of choices in addition to great public schools. While one school option doesn’t necessarily provide a better education than another, each type has pros and cons for every individual family. It’s up to you to determine which school setting best suits your child’s needs. So in honor of National School Choice Week (Jan. 26-Feb. 1), we dove into the differences between charter, home, independent, international, magnet, and parochial schools to help you make the best education decision for your children.
Charter Schools “The most important concept to get is that a charter school is a public school,” says Ian Rowe, CEO of Public Prep Network, a system of three nonprofit charter schools in New York City. But charter schools often have a specific focus, one that typically responds to a need articulated by public school families. Public Prep schools, for example, are all single sex (two schools for girls and one school for boys) and have a focus in STEM education. As with public schools, charter schools are tuition-free, though students have to apply for admission. Public Prep currently admits students via a lottery system due to high demand. Charter schools, though, tend to operate with fewer regulations than traditional public schools and can set their own curriculum. But there is typically an accountability system in which charters are evaluated each year to see if they are meeting the outcomes set by the state, Rowe adds. Plus, there is a renewal process every five years to determine whether the charter is able to continue. “So, there is a much greater accountability in return for the freedoms you have to operate as a charter,” Rowe says. 16
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
Home Schools There are numerous motivations for a family to decide to homeschool their children, from religious and health reasons to a child’s learning style, aptitude level, or schedule (think child actors). There are also numerous options for home-schooling your child, whether you decide to take the lead in teaching, you enroll him in an online home-school program, such as the George Washington University Online High School, or you join a home-school community, such as Classical Conversations. Parents who decide to home-school rather than enroll their child in a physical school need to submit a letter of intent, an Individualized Home Instruction Plan, and quarterly reports by specific dates, according to the New York City Department of Education.
Independent Schools Also known as private schools, independent schools are funded by tuition and charitable donations as opposed to taxpayer dollars. “It is independently funded for the most part and also independent from the state to a certain degree,” says Scott Nelson, headmaster of Rye Country Day School, a college preparatory day school in Rye. “For instance, we don’t follow the NYS testing program (Regents), so we have more independence as far as curriculum choices.” To enroll in an independent school, students have to fill out an application, parents and the student have an interview, and the student has to take an entrance exam, either the Independent
As with other private schools, international schools have an application process, and some require testing while others do not. Many international schools also offer need-based financial aid.
Magnet Schools
School Entrance Exam or the Secondary School Admissions Test, according to Nelson. Though tuition is a factor in attending an independent school, many offer need-based financial aid. For instance, RCDS offers more than $5 million annually to 60 percent of students, Nelson says.
International Schools A second private school option, international schools are typically multi-cultural and integrate those different cultures into everyday learning. “We have families who hail from all over the world…and we embrace their backgrounds,” says Emily Benson, director of admissions at International Academy of New York in Manhattan. “We celebrate different times of the year that are holidays for those different cultures, and if we don’t actually make a big celebration about it, we at least discuss it.” Many international schools are bilingual. IANY, for instance, teaches Mandarin and Spanish, and students spend almost 40 percent of their time interacting in those languages. “When we have a family coming from, say, Egypt, we might be studying Spanish or Mandarin, but we will ask that child, how do you say this in Arabic,” Benson says of welcoming students’ cultures. “We encourage and embrace these other languages and we find that through the way we teach, our children are not only embracing different cultures...but they are also excited to share their home countries’ language and tradition.”
Another tuition-free public school option, magnet schools are federally funded by competitive grants from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Over the past few years, the NYC DOE has won funding for 31 magnet schools across 12 districts in New York City, says Todd Levitt, executive director of magnet programs of NYC DOE. Because of the grants, the NYC DOE is able to offer specialized thematic programs, curriculum, and approaches to teaching, and provide professional development, partnerships, residencies, and extra funding to support special programs, he adds. These 31 schools have a STEAM/STEM focus, and each individual school follows a theme (architecture, civic leadership, and global conservation to name a few). Partnerships are tailored to each school’s individual pursuits and include Columbia University, American Ballet Theatre, Lego, CUNY, NYIT, Apple Education, and Buck Institute of Education Project Based Learning. The grants allow magnet schools to have state-of-the-art technology, purchase new art and science supplies, and provide specialty rooms like broadcast studios, hydroponic garden labs, maker spaces, and STEAM labs. Though they are public schools, the NYC magnet schools have an application process through the NYC DOE Office of Enrollment and the magnet schools (email info@magnetschools. nyc for more information), but there is no screening or testing involved in applying.
Parochial Schools Catholic schools are private schools that follow a traditional curriculum but with an added religious component. Students enrolled in a Diocese of Rockville Centre school, for instance, are taught in accordance with the New York state learning standards and take the same Regents exams and SATs as public school students, but learning is infused with a religious curriculum directed by the Diocese, according to Gary Layton, director of marketing and enrollment for DRVC. “Because we are a school that is run by a religious institution, we take a more holistic view. It is not just about educating. It is about building character, instilling values. It is about the kindness, the respect they show each other. It is about doing service projects,” Layton says. Though the schools in the Diocese are Catholic schools, teach religion courses, and prepare students for their first Holy Communion and Confirmation, not all students practice Catholicism. Those that don’t practice are required to take and pass religion classes, but are not required to participate in religious events or sacraments. The Diocese of Rockville Centre requires applicants to fill out admissions paperwork, and there is a “modest tuition” that is typically supplemented by the Diocese and the Parish that runs the school, Layton says.
RocklandParent 17
School Tour Questions These will help you gauge which school is best for your child. By Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week
1
What is your approach to education, and what makes your school unique? This question gives the school’s representative a chance to describe their school’s greatest asset or attribute—in their own words. School leaders should be able to give you a clear answer and describe the different ways that their school stands out.
2
What are your school’s academic expectations for students? Ask this question to let school leaders know that you are focused on your child’s academic success, and that you want to talk about learning. This question will, hopefully, lead to a larger discussion of the school’s approaches and methods.
3
What are some of the things that you do to make sure that students are learning at, or above, their grade levels? This question will establish that you, too, have expectations for schools—while providing school leaders with opportunities to explain how they work toward accelerating student learning and success.
4
I want to make sure my son/daughter learns a lot. Are the classes challenging and rigorous, but also relevant and interesting? Children can often rise to meet the challenges of rigorous coursework, if it is presented in a relevant and interesting way. Ask this question to determine how a school combines rigor and relevance, so that your child truly absorbs useful knowledge and information.
5
Can you please tell me what you look for when you recruit teachers? How do you define an effective teacher? Ask this question to determine if the school has a specific approach to finding knowledgeable, talented educators whose skills align with the school’s values and culture. Do school leaders consider student learning and success in determining whether teachers are effective?
6
How do you regularly monitor and evaluate student learning, and what do you do if students are struggling? This question will help you find out when you will know if your child is learning at grade level, or if your child is struggling. For example, you do not want to wait a whole year to discover that your child needs extra help in a specific subject.
7
How do you choose your curriculum and textbooks? Do you have a specific approach? Ask this question, because if a school uses one specific curriculum or type of textbooks for all or most of its classes, you can research it when you get
home and look at examples. If the school uses several different curricula, find out how the school decides which is best.
8
Do your teachers use a specific instructional strategy or method? (If so, what is it called, and can you explain what that means or how that works?) This question will help you know what, specifically, happens in a classroom. If the school uses a particular instructional strategy, ask them to explain it. For example, if you are told that the school uses “differentiated instruction,” you might ask, “Can you describe how that looks day to day?”
9
Can you please tell me more about the different types of classes and activities you offer? This question will help you determine whether the school offers the classes, clubs, activities, and sports programs that will be of interest to your child. This question will also help you identify if the school offers catch-up coursework along with advanced or gifted classes.
10
How do you foster an environment of mutual respect between students, teachers, and parents? Care and respect cannot be easily measured on a test, but they should be experienced every single day in a school building. This question will help you gauge whether the school meets your standards for a caring environment and has built a culture of respect.
11
Please tell me more about your school’s approach to keeping students safe and preventing bullying. Ask this question to determine whether the school has specific plans, policies, and procedures that align to your goals and priorities. If you are specifically concerned about bullying, I encourage you to ask follow-up questions about this, too.
12
Please tell me about your school’s approach to homework and testing. Even if you do not worry too much about homework or testing, you want to make sure you know exactly what will be expected of you and your child. This question will help you get specific examples of school practices, so you can see if they align to your goals and priorities.
13
What are the opportunities you have for parents to be involved, and what are your expectations of parents? By asking this question, you can determine whether a school has a thoughtful approach to parental involvement and engagement—activities that should go beyond just raising money for the school.
Excerpt reprinted with permission of Andrew Campanella, The School Choice Roadmap, Beaufort Books, New York, NY.
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January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
Education Academic Enrichment and Educational Services Now You’re Talking LLC Sandra Gotthardt, M.S., C.C.C.-S.L.P., T.S.S.L.D. Diana Hughes, M.S., C.C.C.-S.L.P., T.S.S.L.D. Pediatric Private Speech Thearapy Clinic
43 South Liberty Drive, Stony Point 845-533-5544 nowyouretalkingspeech.com; sgotthardt@nowyourtalkingspeech.com We offer the utmost care in treating your child’s unique needs with a fun, tailored, speech language plan aimed at bringing communication skills to an age-appropriate level. Sandra and Diana are nationally board-certified speech language pathologists. Sandra is also a certified orofacial myofunctional therapist who works collaboratively with other related health specialists.
Parochial & Religious Schools Archdiocese of New York - Catholic Schools of NY
646-794-2885 catholicschoolsny.org Catholic Schools welcome families looking for personalized learning in a secure, nurturing environment where today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders in high school and beyond. Book a tour or apply today.
Preschools Deborah Koenig Early Childhood Center at JCC Rockland
450 W. Nyack Road, West Nyack 845-501-4100 jccrockland.org/dkecc; dkecc@jccrockland.org The Deborah Koenig Early Childhood Center at JCC Rockland is committed to providing excellent care and education. We partner with our families to encourage creativity, curiosity, and imagination, and to build trusting relationships. Registration is ongoing for infants through pre-K. Kindergarten enrollment opens February 2020.
The Lindgren Nursery School
211 Irving Ave., Closter 201-768-3550 lindgrenschool.com It is our mission to engage young children in direct and meaningful experiences with the natural world and other people. Our campus includes seven classrooms, three-and-a-half acres of gardens, play areas, and farm animals. Daily program is a balance of indoor and outdoor free play, teacher directed experiences, and small group activities.
St. Catharine Early Childhood Center
517 Western Highway, Blauvelt 845-359-4330 stcatharineprek.org Our program provides an opportunity for young children to join together in a loving, nurturing, educational, fun environment. Phonemic awareness skills, social, cognitive, fine and gross motor skills are introduced through creative curriculum. A wonderful place for preschoolers to learn, grow, and have fun!
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Private Schools Blue Rock School
110 Demarest Mill Road, West Nyack 845-627-0234 bluerockschool.org Blue Rock School offers a unique, progressive, educational approach based on hands-on experiences. Our creative academic curriculum is infused with the arts, nature, and play from kindergarten through eighth grade. By nurturing children’s love of learning, developing their skills, and encouraging critical thinking we prepare them for a changing world.
140 Oak Tree Rd. Tappan, NY
845-367-7782
SmileMoreKidz.com RocklandParent 19
tech for kids
Our Favorite Podcasts for Kids These audio stories are a great substitute for screens By Madeleine Burry
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January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
D
o you look forward to your commute because you can’t wait to hear the latest episode of a true crime story or get advice on anything from finance to relationships to grammar? Podcasts are entertaining and informative for grown-ups—and the same holds true for kids. In fact, children of all ages can build important skills by listening to podcasts, says Maggie McGuire, the CEO of Pinna, an audio-streaming service for kids. Take toddlers: Exposing them to language-rich, ageappropriate audio “helps them build their emerging vocabulary and aids in building their background knowledge across a wide variety of topics and themes,” McGuire says. Plus, podcasts encourage imagination and curiosity. Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there for little kids, bigger kids, and teens.
Podcasts for Preschoolers Story Time This bi-monthly podcast features simple but engaging 20-minute original stories, read by a rotating cast of narrators (many with British accents). While the easy-to-follow tales are a natural fit for bedtime, there’s no reason not to listen in the morning, after lunch, or during a long car ride (bedtime.fm; ages 2-13). Quentin and Alfie’s ABC Adventures Each of the 26 episodes covers a letter of the alphabet—which is a fun way to introduce kids to letters and sounds. The story follows the adventures of Alfie and his babysitter, Quentin, everywhere from amusement parks to the zoo (pinna.fm; ages 3-5).
Story Pirates This podcast is billed as “by kids, for kids.” Here’s how it works: Kids submit stories and the cast (actors, comedians, and musicians) turns them into hilarious sketch comedies and songs. It’s an upbeat, hilarious show—one episode features a song about trash-loving raccoons (gimletmedia.com; ages 3 and older).
Podcasts for Big Kids Wow in the Word NPR’s first podcast for kids, now in its third year, is co-hosted by Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas and aims to leave kids (and parents) saying “wow” at the end of each science-themed episode. Explanations to intriguing questions like “why do zebras have stripes?” and “how do onions make us cry?” are paired with zippy background music (npr.org/podcasts; ages 4-10). Grim, Grimmer, Grimmest Best-selling author Adam Gidwitz uses dramatic twists and flourishes to share fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm with a classroom of kids (who interject with feedback and opinions.) Before each story, Gidwitz provides a content warning (in one episode he warned about name-calling), and assigns a rating of grim, grimmer, or grimmest to denote just how weird and scary the episode will be (podcasts.apple.com; ages 6-13). Saturday Morning Cereal Box This 2-hour podcast bills itself as “a weekly music show for the whole family,” but (luckily) the songs avoid cheesy lyrics, high-pitched voices, and poor production. Instead, the genre-spanning, genuinely interesting music provides a perfect backdrop for hanging with the kids (saturdaycerealbowl.podbean.com; all ages).
Podcasts for Teens Stuff You Should Know This show explores topics as diverse as Ironman triathlons, paternity testing, scurvy, and how highways work. While it’s aimed at adults, curious teens will delight in finding out fascinating back stories they might not have thought about before (stuffyoushouldknow.com; ages 13 and older). NPR Politics As we enter an election year, it’s important for teens (who will soon be voting) to understand the issues. This non-partisan shows digs into the news on a daily basis—drop into a current episode or tune in on Thursdays for a roundup of the week’s news (npr.org/podcasts; ages 13 and older). Dear Hank & John John Green—the chart-topping YA author of books such as The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska—and his musician brother, Hank, answer questions, share advice (which they admit is “dubious”), and delve into pop culture. One recent episode featured a long and surprisingly funny discussion of cottage cheese (wnycstudios.org/podcasts; ages 15 and older).
• Now Entering our 21st Year! •
Let them GR
OW with us!
• Mrs. Feeney and her staff are celebrating another fabulous year educating and nurturing the children in our community
Open House
Register for Sept 2020
(Snow date Thurs, January 23rd 5PM - 8PM)
(Snow date Thursday, January 30th 5PM - 8PM)
Tues, January 21st 6:30PM - 8PM Wed, January 22nd 9AM - 11AM
•Half day and full day sessions for 3-5 year olds •Extended care
Tues, January 28th 6:30PM - 8PM Wed, January 29th 9AM - 11AM
Readiness Skills: Math, Science, Reading, History, Religion, fine & gross motor skills
Technology: touch screen tablets, smart boards Fun: Arts & Crafts, Music, Yoga, class trips,
hands-on activities
St. Catharine
Early Childhood Center 517 Western Highway • Blauvelt
NY State Licensed All Staff NY Certified CPR & First Aid
UPK Participant
845.359.4330
www.stcatharineprek.org st.cprek@yahoo.com
Dental Wellness of Suffern Now Offers:
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We are proud to announce that we have added the Solea dental laser to our practice: No drill No numb feeling No needles No jarring noises No soreness And multiple procedures done in one appointment
Dental Wellness of Suffern | Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern | (845) 918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com RocklandParent 21
Pediatric Speech Therapy Clinic · Fun, individualized speech plan for each unique child · Articulation & phonological individual and group therapy · Speech and language delay · Specializing in orofacial myofunctional therapy Sandra Gotthardt (tongue thrust) M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD · Mommy, Me & Speech ASHA Certified Speech Therapy Classes Language Pathologist · Affordable group therapy registration available
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43 South Liberty Drive, Stony Point nowyouretalkingspeech.com 845-533-5544
Clemente Orthodontics Where Excellence Is A Family Tradition Dr. Marissa Clemente Dr. Michael Clemente Dr. Nicole Clemente • Private Treatment Rooms • All Digital X-Rays • Flexible Payment Plans Accepted •
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A Lavishly Illustrated Children’s Story of Friendship and Overcoming Obstacles
Tilly... A Deer’s Tale (BASED ON A TRUE STORY)
Follow the adventures of a rescued baby deer. Share Tilly’s courage and valiant recovery. Call 914-764-5564
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22
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
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24 Editor’s Hot Tickets 25 NYC Events Worth the Trek 26 Holiday Fun,
Museums & Exhibits
27 Nature Lovers
28 Theater, Concerts, & Movies 29 Little Makers 30 Educational Activities 31 Special Needs, Get Active
EDITOR’S
T O H TICKETS
Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the January events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month! First Day Hike FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1-3:30pm WHERE: New Jersey Botanical Garden, 2 Morris Road, Ringwood AGES: All WHAT: Start your new year right on a self-guided family-friendly hike. WHY WE LOVE IT: You can climb to the Mt. Defiance overlook on the Halifax trail, or choose an alternate hike without a major climb. WANT TO GO? 973-962-9534. njbg.org.
Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland WHEN: Through Jan. 5: see website for schedule WHERE: Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy open air ice skating, Santa’s North Pole and workshop, Bergen Express train rides, carousel rides, food trucks, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: The fun includes face painting, balloon artists, and visits with the big man in the red suit! WANT TO GO? $15; $10 seniors and active military or veterans; free for children 3 and younger. bergencountywinterwonderland.com.
‘Frozen’ Fun Night WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 11, 6-8pm WHERE: Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, 324 Forest Drive S., Short Hills AGES: All WHAT: Want to build a snowman (out of ice cream) and meet Elsa? Join CHA for a fun evening learning about snow! WHY WE LOVE IT: Families will also learn what all the animals are doing during winter. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 members. 973-376-3587. hartshornarboretum.org.
Parents Night Out WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 18, 5:30-9pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Children will have a meal and participate in fun activities with a Tenafly Nature Center Environmental Educator while parents enjoy some time to relax or have an evening out. WHY WE LOVE IT: Activities will include crafts, a night hike, trail games, animal encounters, and a campfire with s’mores! WANT TO GO? $45; $35 members; sibling discount available. 201568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org. 24
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
Lunar New Year Celebration WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 19, 12pm and 2pm WHERE: Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, 324 Forest Drive S., Short Hills AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the Lunar New Year by following the lion through the woods. Be prepared to make some noise with games, trivia, crafts, and traditional stories. WHY WE LOVE IT: Join the CHA and the Chinese Association of Millburn-Short Hills to shake off the winter blues! WANT TO GO? $8. 973-376-3587. hartshornarboretum.org.
‘Angelina Ballerina The Musical’ WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 19, 1:30pm and 4:30pm WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Angelina and her friends will perform all types of dance, including hip-hop, modern dance, the Irish jig, and, of course, ballet. WHY WE LOVE IT: A family-friendly show that will have the entire audience dancing in the aisles! WANT TO GO? $12-$15. 973-539-8008. mayoarts.org.
‘Dinosaur Train’: The Traveling Exhibit
HOT TICKET
WHEN: Through Jan. 20: Tuesdays-Fridays, 9:30am-4pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 9am-5:30pm WHERE: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., 3rd Floor, Jersey City AGES: All WHAT: Based on the Dinosaur Train TV series, the exhibition embraces and celebrates the fascination kids have with both dinosaurs and trains. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids will learn basic concepts in life science, natural history, and paleontology, and can even meet Buddy the T-Rex live during select dates. WANT TO GO? $24.99; $21.99 seniors 62 and older; $19.99 ages 2-12. 201-200-1000. lsc.org.
Celebrate Party Showcase
Tomatoland Popup
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 26, 11am-4pm WHERE: Park Ridge Marriott, 300 Brae Blvd., Park Ridge AGES: All WHAT: From DJs and favors to invites and decor, you will find everything you need for the perfect celebration. Sample food, try games, meet DJs, and find the perfect design for your party. WHY WE LOVE IT: Register online for free tickets! WANT TO GO? $10. 646-736-3619. celebrateshowcase.com.
WHEN: Through Jan. 25: Monday-Saturday, 12-8pm; Sunday, 12-7pm WHERE: Tomatoland, 484 Broome St., Soho, Manhattan AGES: 3 and older WHAT: The exhibition provides New Yorkers with view from a tomato’s perspective. The popup aims to remind New York residents to pay more attention to keeping a friendly environment while developing the city economy in the next decade. WANT TO GO? $16-$22. 646-480-4849. thetomatoland.com.
Year of the Golden Rat: Nai Ni Chen Dance WHEN: Jan. 25-26, 2pm WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark AGES: All WHAT: NJPAC’s Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch Stage at Victoria Theater will be transformed into a stunning garden of flowers, along with majestic dragons, acrobatic lions, elegant peacocks, twirling ribbons, and more to dazzle the senses. WHY WE LOVE IT: This production will transport you beyond cultural boundaries to a place where tradition meets innovation! WANT TO GO? $27-$35. 800-466-5722. njpac.org.
NYC Events
WORTH THE TREK Cirque Mechanics’ 42FT WHEN: Through Jan. 5: see website for showtimes WHERE: New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: With a brilliant blur of sequined stilts, feathered frocks, and flashing circus stripes, the endlessly inventive Cirque Mechanics upends expectations in a dizzying, dazzling array of acts. WANT TO GO? $22 and up. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.
Pow Comic Con WHEN: Jan. 25-26, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Created by fans for fans, Pow Comic Con brings together the best in comic books, collectibles, gaming, sci-fi, fantasy, cosplay, horror, and all things pop culture. WANT TO GO? $20-$34. powcomiccon.com.
Big Apple Circus WHEN: Through Feb. 2: see website for showtimes WHERE: Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Catch the 42nd season of this world-renowned circus, celebrating the heartbeat, everyday delights, and spirit of NYC with talent from around the world, led by Brooklyn-born singer and Ringmaster Storm Marrero. WANT TO GO? $35 and up; free for children younger than 3 (on lap). 212-721-6500. bigapplecircus.com.
‘Princess Particular’ WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 11, 2:30pm WHERE: The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Princess Particular is obsessed by her latest scheme to become a ballerina. Join perky palace-goers for pliés, pastries, and “toe food”! WANT TO GO? $20 adults; $15 children younger than 17 (Family 4-pack for $40). 718-392-0722. secrettheatre.com.
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RocklandParent 25
Small Wonders: 44th Annual Holiday Exhibition WHEN: Through March 1: Wednesdays-Fridays and Sundays, 12-4pm WHERE: Historical Society of Rockland County, 20 Zukor Road, New City AGES: All WHAT: See custom dollhouses decorated and furnished down to the tiniest details, from period wallpaper to food in the kitchen. WANT TO GO? $5. 845-634-9629. rocklandhistory.org.
Museums & Exhibits Seasonal Scavenger Hunt
Holiday Fun Holiday Fun FREE WHEN: Jan. 2-4, 10am-5pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St, Haverstraw AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Visit the library and take a break! Movie marathons, coloring club, play the switch, and more! Something different every day! WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 12, 2-3pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: 4 and older WHAT: Families will receive a set of clues to solve riddles. WANT TO GO? $20 per family; $5 individual; free for members and children younger than 2. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.
Nature Story Time WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 18, 10-10:30am WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: 3-7 WHAT: Enjoy a story and a visit from an animal ambassador. WANT TO GO? $5; free for members and children younger than 2. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland
Extreme LSC
WHEN: Through Jan. 4: see website for schedule WHERE: Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla AGES: All WHAT: Westchester’s Winter Wonderland provides fun and affordable holiday cheer for the entire family, including holiday circus performances, ice skating, visits with Santa, and holiday rides. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s a truly special night out as a family! WANT TO GO? $20; free for children 3 and younger. 914-2314033. wwinterwonderland.com.
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 6-10pm WHERE: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., 3rd Floor, Jersey City AGES: All WHAT: Laser tag! Slime! A massive ball pit! Blast off into a brand new adventure for kids at Liberty Science Center: Extreme LSC! WANT TO GO? $25; $20 children. 201-200-1000. lsc.org.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration FREE WHEN: Monday, Jan. 13, 5-7pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. with fun crafts and activities. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.
Lunar New Year Celebration WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 7:30pm WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This Lunar New Year concert blends Eastern and Western musical traditions—a can’t-miss celebration of community and culture. WANT TO GO? $20-$80. 800-466-5722. njpac.org. 26
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
StarLab: Indoor Planetarium WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 10am, 11:30am, 1pm and 2:30pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Take a celestial adventure in the night sky via the StarLab! WANT TO GO? $12; $8 members. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.
‘Angry Birds’ Universe: The Art and Science Behind a Global Phenomenon WHEN: Through April 19: Tuesdays-Fridays, 9:30am-4pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 9am-5:30pm WHERE: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., 3rd Floor, Jersey City AGES: All WHAT: Explore STEM concepts in a hands-on environment! WANT TO GO? $30.99; $27.99 seniors 62 and older; $24.99 ages 2-12. 201-200-1000. lsc.org.
nature lovers READ to a Dog FREE WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 4, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Sign up for a 15-minute session to read one-on-one to a therapy dog. This event requires registration. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.
Animal Ambassador of the Month WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 4, 11-11:30am WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: All WHAT: Whether they have scales, feathers, or fur, let’s celebrate these amazing creatures and the important job that they do! Learn all about the the Tenafly Nature Center Animal Ambassador of the month. WANT TO GO? $5; $2 members. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.
Remarkable Raptors WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 5, 11am-12pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Meet a live hawk and owl, discover how amazing birds of prey (raptors) are, and learn about both diurnal and nocturnal adaptations and how they utilize their senses to locate and obtain their prey WANT TO GO? $10; $5 members. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.
Guided Nature Walk WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 5, 3-4pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: All WHAT: Whether a first time visitor or a regular on the trails, participants will enjoy different sensory experiences in the forest. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No strollers please. WANT TO GO? $5; free for members. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.
Tracks and Traces WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 12, 10am WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: All WHAT: Go on a track “hunt,” learn how to identify animal tracks, and create a track shirt. Each person must bring a plain white prewashed T-shirt. WANT TO GO? $10; $8 children; $7 members; $5 children members. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.
R.E.A.D Dogs FREE WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 14, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Children will get to read one-on-one with a specially trained
Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) and their handler. Reserve a 15-minute time slot per child. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org.
R.E.A.D. to Therapy Dogs FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 4-5pm WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This program is perfect for struggling readers or anyone who wants to practice their reading skills! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.
PAWS for a Cause WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 6-7pm WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children are invited to read to a therapy dog who has been certified to encourage them to improve their reading skills. Registration required for a 15-minute slot. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.
Backyard Nature for Grades 1-4 FREE WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 16, 4-5pm WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: 5-9 WHAT: Learn how to look through binoculars to spot birds. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997. newcitylibrary.org.
Animal Story Time WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 18, 11am-12pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Help the animals get through the winter by warming their day and reading them a story. WANT TO GO? $2 suggested donation. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org. RocklandParent 27
‘Dog Man: The Musical’ WHEN: Monday, Jan. 20, 1pm and 4pm WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown AGES: All WHAT: A hilarious new production based on the worldwide bestselling series from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants. WANT TO GO? $12-$15. 973-539-8008. mayoarts.org.
End of Midterms Party FREE WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 5-7pm WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Celebrate the end of midterms with a movie, pizza, and popcorn. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.
Theater, Concerts, & Movies Concert: Mitchell’s Mellow Madness FREE WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 12, 2pm WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: All WHAT: Swing with this talented local group at this live performance featuring beautiful and upbeat jazz done in a variety of styles. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997 x139. newcitylibrary.org.
Terry Fator: The Voice of Entertainment WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 16, 8pm WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown AGES: 13 and older WHAT: For the past ten years at the Mirage Hotel, Terry Fator has sold out night after night with a show featuring his cast of characters that includes everyone from an Impersonating Turtle to Elton John to Elvis. You’ll have a blast watching this America’s Got Talent winner and his cast of characters. WANT TO GO? $69 and up. 973-539-8008. mayoarts.org.
Drive-in Movie FREE WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 16, 11am WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Kids can design and decorate their own cardboard box “cars” to sit in while they enjoy a screening of the movie Cars! Registration is required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.
Tommy Gardner and the Uncle Brother’s Band FREE WHEN: Friday, Jan. 17, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: 2-6 WHAT: The Uncle Brothers concerts are always chock full of fun! Children must have an adult caregiver. Please contact library about tickets. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org. 28
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
Little Makers Biography Book Club: Frida Kahlo FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 4:30-6pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Style your own “selfies” portraits inspired by this iconic Mexican artist, create a skeleton craft, and enjoy a nachos and salsa snack! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.
Wire Peg Jewelry with Kimberly Hack FREE WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 9, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: 10-14 WHAT: Make wire peg jewelry with one of the library’s favorite artists, Kimberly Hack. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.
Sandcastle Fun FREE WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 9, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Kids will have a blast building sandcastles, scooping, digging, and more with kinetic sand. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.
Perler Bead Playground FREE WHEN: Friday, Jan. 10, 4:30-5:15pm WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Express your fandoms, favorite characters, and more with Perler beads a-plenty! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.
Crafternoons With Colette FREE WHEN: Monday, Jan. 13, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: 9-13 WHAT: Join “Crafting Queen” Colette Thomas in this creative after-school crafting club. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.
Winter in Watercolor FREE
Sparkling Paper Heart Snowflakes! FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 5-6pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Using fine tip Sharpies and classic techniques, create a beautiful winter scene in watercolor paint. Please register. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org.
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 10:30-11am WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Fold and cut a paper heart to create a snowflake and decorate to make a sparkling window decoration. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.
Recycling Heroes FREE
Cupcake Wars FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 5-6pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn about recycling and make a superhero mask out of recycled products. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.
Paint It FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 5:30-6:45pm WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Will your cupcake win? Judges will award prizes. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.
Wintertime Wilds with Strawtown Studio FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 16, 6-7pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Learn how to use watercolors and develop your own artistic vision. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 30, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join Strawtown artists and naturalists in exploring the responses animals have to the winter then create your own winter landscape with animal puppets! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org.
Do You Wanna Build a Snowglobe? FREE
Keva Plank Builders FREE
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 20, 3-3:45pm WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Create your very own beautiful Mason jar snow globe. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.
WHEN: Jan. 3-31, Fridays, 4:30-5:15pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Use your imagination to build structures that defy gravity with wooden Keva Planks. Sign in starts at 4pm. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org.
Family Fun: Pizza at Home WHEN: Monday, Jan. 20, 10am WHERE: Sur la Table, 1145 Fashion Drive, Nanuet AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Kids and adults alike will enjoy making pizza dough for homemade pizzas and learn how to put together a super simple and delicious tomato sauce. WANT TO GO? $59. 800-243-0852. surlatable.com.
Mix It Up! FREE WHEN: Tuesdays, Jan. 14: ages 5-8, 4:30-5:30pm; Jan. 21: ages 9-12, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Roll and dip your own cake pops! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.
Make Your Own... Balloon Animals! FREE WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 23, 5-6pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 9-11 WHAT: Learn how to make some fun winter-themed balloon animals. Please register. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org. RocklandParent 29
New Moms Circle FREE WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 11, 11am-1pm WHERE: The Prenatal Center at Montefiore Nyack, 258 High Ave., 2nd Floor, Nyack AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Read and discuss stories with guest Melinda Watkins, Valley Cottage Library Children’s Librarian. WANT TO GO? 845-348-7505. montefiorenyack.org.
SAT/ACT Grammar No One Ever Taught You with Trevor Hochman FREE WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 18, 1-2:45pm WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Students will learn usage, mechanics, and rhetorical skills tested throughout the SAT Writing and ACT English tests but seldom touched on in school. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.
Tween Corner–Coding FREE WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Using the Vidcode program, learn to create memes, stopmotion, video games, and more. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.
Educational Activities Eat SAT/ACT Nonfiction for Breakfast with Trevor Hochman FREE WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 4, 1-2:45pm WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Strengthen and sharpen key passage reading skills for the SAT and ACT with practice and guidance. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.
Practice SAT from The Princeton Review FREE WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 5, 12-3pm WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Students must bring #2 pencils and a calculator to this practice SAT. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997. newcitylibrary.org.
SAT/ACT Algebra Fundamentals with Trevor Hochman FREE WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 11, 1-2:45pm WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Students will learn central algebra skills and concepts tested by the SAT and ACT, categorized with examples and guidance on how to build and practice these skills. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org. 30
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
‘PAW Patrol’ Storytime FREE WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 23, 11-11:45am WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: 2-5 WHAT: At this special storytime you’ll read PAW Patrol books, play a rescue game, and make some PAW Patrol-inspired crafts! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.
Practice ACT from The Princeton Review FREE WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 26, 12-4pm WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Practice for the ACT. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997. newcitylibrary.org.
Holocaust Remembrance FREE WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2-3:30pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 13 and older WHAT: A Holocaust survivor will share their story to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org.
Tween Corner–Card Games FREE WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Learn to play crazy eights, spit, and more. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.
Exploration Station FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Explore science and the world around you with hands-on stations, along with a discussion and a story. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.
Setting Your Clock For Success: Time Management Tips for Students in Grades 6-12 and Their Parents FREE WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 30, 7-9pm WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Time management strategies and study skill tips from Dominiqe Padurano, the head of Crimson Coaching. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.
Minecraft in the Maker Space FREE WHEN: Jan. 7-Feb. 18, Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 7-10 WHAT: Build amazing Minecraft worlds with your friends on the library’s laptops! Space is limited to 8 players. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org.
Hogwarts Book Club FREE WHEN: Jan. 30-Feb. 27, Thursdays, 7-8pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 8-13 WHAT: Discuss the stories and adventure of Harry Potter and his days at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.
special needs Sensory Storytime FREE WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 10-11am WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy stories, movement, and more in a safe environment. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997 x121. newcitylibrary.org.
Get Active! First Day Hike WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1-3:30pm WHERE: Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Sam’s Point Area, 400 Sam’s Point Road, Cragsmoor AGES: All WHAT: Start off 2020 with an invigorating snowshoe outing for the entire family. Enjoy this approximately three-mile trek through the scenic park preserve. WANT TO GO? $5 snowshoe rental. 845-647-7989. parks.ny.gov.
Coffee and Coloring: Playgroup and Meetup FREE WHEN: Friday, Jan. 10, 9:30-11am WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Meet other local parents and kids for some free play and enjoy coffee, tea, and light snacks. Registration is required. WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.
Sensory Playtime FREE WHEN: Monday, Jan. 27, 18-36 months: 10:30am; 3-5 years: 11:45am-12:15pm WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Drop in with your little one to explore, encourage, and engage in sensory play! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.
Zumbini FREE WHEN: Jan. 2-Feb. 13, select Thursdays, 11-11:45am WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 1-4 WHAT: Children will love this super fun music and movement class! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org.
Public Skating Sessions WHEN: Through March 1: see website for schedule WHERE: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Bear Mountain Ice Rink State Park, Bear Mountain AGES: All WHAT: Break out your skates, or rent a pair for the day, and enjoy the outdoor Bear Mountain Ice Rink. WANT TO GO? $5; $2 non-skaters and seniors; free for children 4 and younger; $5 skate rentals. 845-786-2701. bearmountainicerink.com.
Sensory-Friendly Exploration WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 26, 10-11am WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: All WHAT: Make memories and come together for a fun-filled, sensory-friendly, exploration session in the great outdoors. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 members. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org. RocklandParent 31
Melissa Wickes
outing
T. rex: The Ultimate Predator, a special exhibit on view through Aug. 9, introduces visitors to the entire tyrannosaur family with life-size models, fossils, interactive elements for all ages, and more.
Best-Kept Secrets: American Museum of Natural History Visiting this institution can be daunting without a plan. Read on for the strategies that will make your trip extra-special. By Nico Vercelletto
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January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
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he American Museum of Natural History (amnh.org), located at Central Park West and 79th Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, is one of the most well-known and beloved museums in New York City. Containing dozens of permanent and special exhibits and theater shows, it is one of the few museums that both kids and parents can (really) equally enjoy. The experiences you can choose from feel like a microcosm of the life itself, from space to dinosaurs to Lucy, the most complete early hominid skeleton, to the artifacts of Asian and European civilizations.
Standby Kid Faves Decide which exhibits you want to see before you leave home so you and your kids can have the best experience possible. Luckily, that’s not so hard: The museum is home to stellar must-sees for kids. The dinosaurs are the runaway fan favorites, with children staring wide-eyed at the lifesized reassembled skeletons of prehistoric animals. The dino floor also houses extinct denizens of a later era, such as the wooly mammoth and saber tooth tiger. Even grander in scale is the famous blue whale that is suspended on the ceiling in The Millstein Family Hall of Ocean Life on the first floor. Not only is this a fascinating area to learn about the wonders of our ocean, but it is also a great place to stop and rest.
Secrets to Discover with Your Kids Besides those universal favorites, there are plenty of little-known gems that even repeat visitors may inadvertently pass by. The Discovery Room on the first floor is one of those special exhibits. Inside, all of the draws the museum is best known for are presented in a way that even the youngest children can understand. In this hands-on mini museum, kids dig for dinosaur bones, search for exotic animals in the big baobab tree, or simply sit down and read a children’s book that delves into the subject of an exhibit. There are also live animals and a large cabinet stuffed with items that kids tend to love, such as shells, feathers, bones, and unique rocks worthy of inspection. While not as hands-on as The Discovery Room, the Warburg Hall of NY State Environment on the first floor is still a fascinating and engaging (and oft-overlooked) section. The hall shows cool dioramas of NY farms and orchards complete with tractors, trees, people, and animals. It even showcases a crosssection view for an inside look at the maze-like tunnels of moles and other below-ground dwellers. One section has a blown-up simulation of insects, showing a dog-sized millipede, spider, and other bugs. While not for arachnophobes, it’s a pretty safe bet the kids will go crazy (in a good way). Traveling (way) up in scale from ants, a monumental bronze globe greets you as you enter the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth on the first floor adjacent to the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Kids can have fun turning the metal earth, exploring the high mountain ranges, vast oceans, or any other feature your child may be curious about. Then look up! Right above you, an 8-foot wide “Dynamic Earth” projects a perspective of earth from space; watch it make a full rotation in 12 minutes.
LINDGREN IS THE NATURAL CHOICE. At Lindgren Nursery School, we let children be children. With 3½ acres of woods, gardens and play areas designed for exploration, spacious, sunny classrooms, and a truly exceptional teaching staff, we have created a learning environment made for natural discovery and development.
We nurture young children so their bodies, minds, and feelings develop naturally. FIND OUT MORE! Visit lindgrenschool.com or call 201.768.3550 today.
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Subscribe to our family activity email newsletter.
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Before your kid can be amazed, you need to be in the know. First, download Explorer - AMNH NYC from the Apple App Store. It’s a life-saver, especially if you’re the type who is easily disoriented. The 3-D map shows where everything is, down to each bathroom with changing tables. If you don’t have an iPhone, you can use Google Maps on your Android device, which has its own map of the museum. The $2 fee for the coat check is worth it if you’re traveling with heavier jackets, strollers, or shopping bags from your previous stop. You can bring your stroller throughout the museum, but be aware you’ll encounter many staircases (as well as painfully slow, sometimes crowded elevators). Except where signs say otherwise, photography is allowed, flash included, but tripods and lights are not. Outside food is not allowed to be brought in, so you’ll need to plan. Hyper is one thing; hyper and hungry is a completely different beast! A large food court is on the lower level; several cafés are found on different floors of the museum. A family-sized table at any of the eateries may be tough to snag during peak hours, so plan to nosh around 11am or after 2pm.
NYMetroParents.com/register
Now based in Lansing, MI, Niko Vercelletto is a New York native who has been writing since the days at his high school newspaper. His work can be found in popular publications such as Popular Mechanics, realtor.com, NYMetroParents, and CityGuideNY.
Want to know the Best Activities
Meet the Directors
Jared Gelb and Phil Rainone have both been part of the Camp Ramaquois staff for more than 25 years. Now, as co-directors, Jared and Phil are able to share their decades of public school teaching and camp leadership experience with the Ramaquois and camp communities. They are frequent presenters at the country’s largest camp conferences and generally regarded as leaders in the summer camp industry.
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30 Mountain Road, Pomona NY | 845-354-1600 | ramaquois.com
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social media
What’s the Big Deal About TikTok? A primer for parents whose kids are captivated By Melissa Wickes
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January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
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ikTok has been downloaded more than 1 billion times in 2 years. Its short videos are mesmerizing kids, teens, and even adults all over the world. In fact, TikTok is one of the fastest-growing and most popular apps in the world, according to Business Insider. But like any exploding craze, there are questions, hiccups, and concerns—especially among parents. We spoke with social media experts and the parents of kids swiping through every day to understand why the app is consuming a generation.
What is TikTok? TikTok is a short-form video-sharing app similar to (the nowdefunct) Vine, with videos ranging from 5 seconds to 1 minute, according to Rafael Sales, data strategist at Sparkloft Media, a social media creative agency. Users scrolling through can find comedy, music, dance, and drama. Martin Stoll, CEO of Sparkloft Media and father of a 12-year-old and 10-year-old, explains that because TikTok is a very visual platform, it is perfectly suited to a younger audience. Think about it: What is more entertaining to a 10-year-old than 30-second videos you can react to with a sticker? Brands are even using it as a marketing tool: For example, Nike in Milan worked with athletes and TikTok influencers to create three challenges encouraging girls to show off their sports skills. The challenges garnered more than 100 million views and 540,000 likes—and inspired 46,000 usergenerated routines in response.
Why is it so popular? One very obvious reason the app has become a worldwide sensation is, simply, because it’s entertaining. The short videos will make you laugh, sing, and mimic the creativity of others. As a result, its content is spreading like wildfire. TikTok has also gained followers for its ability to hook into its users’ preferences using an algorithm: If you like “challenges” where people mimic choreography to a Mariah Carey song, for example, the app will continue to feed you similar videos. “TikTok will quickly adapt to your taste to offer the most relevant, interesting, fun, quirky, head-turning videos that you’ll never want to stop watching,” according to the company. The strength of this algorithm has its pros and cons. On the one hand, once the app gets to know your 13-year-old daughter, she will likely be consuming content that is suited for her (rather than, say, sexually explicit dance moves and cursing that is not). On the other hand, if your son is participating in a viral challenge and his account is public, his video may be seen by millions of people whom TikTok has also targeted as interested in that content.
Controversy and Concerns Any product that takes off this quickly doesn’t do so without a hitch. So far there has been controversy due to TikTok’s Chinese roots and the rumor that it is being used as a “giant data vacuum” by China, according to Stoll. The company was also accused of censoring political content. Individuals have claimed their accounts were suspended for posting videos related to the Hong Kong protests and Chinese detention camps, according to The Washington Post. U.S. senators are investigating these allegations and TikTok has made official statements regarding the concern, claiming it’s committed to earning the trust of its users and happy to participate in any investigations.
Should your teens TikTok? Luckily for parents, there are privacy and safety settings, as well as Screen Time Management and Restricted Mode options, according to Sierra Filucci, editorial director of Common Sense Media and mother of a 15-year-old. Parents can set these using a passcode. TikTok also requires users to be at least 13 years old and receive a guardian’s approval if they are younger than 18. Filucci, however, thinks parents should get to know the app before allowing access. “If parents are more hands-on, monitoring what kids are doing, have checked out the app, and feel comfortable with the content they see, then they can make the determination of whether or not their kid is ready for it,” she says. “I’m comfortable with my 15-year-old using TikTok because we talk about it a lot, I have a lot of visibility, and cursing isn’t a problem for me. It may be for other parents.” Like with any social media, parents should have a conversation about TikTok and the responsibilities involved with posting on the internet, Stoll suggests. If safety boundaries are set, you familiarize yourself with the app, and you direct the conversation toward opinion rather than judgment, the app can open the door to laughter, bonding with your kids, and even creativity. “Sometimes [my 15-year-old daughter and I] just lay on the bed and scroll through,” Filucci says. “I think it shows her I’m not dismissive of this thing she loves and that I can laugh along with her to the funny things.”
Danceworks Ballet Workout
Dance Classes for Children
Develop a lean, strong dancer’s body with flexibility and grace
Learn to work with your body, not against it • Barre stretch • Mat Work • Reverance • No Special Clothing Needed • All Levels • No Prior Training Necessary • Beginners Welcome • 10 Week Session $75 or $10/class • Free Babysitting • Monday & Wednesday 9:30am-10:45am • Free Trial Class
69 Lake Road • Congers Call for details and brochure 845-268-4669
Adult exam, X-rays, Cleaning Special
$99
Gentle, patient, stress-free dentistry for the whole family! • Check-ups, crowns, implants, root canals, teeth whitening & Invisible braces • Comfortable, faster x-rays with our New Panorex Machine • Monday-Friday, evening & weekend appts.
• Se’ Habla Espanol
• Most PPO & Insurances Accepted
• Flexible payment options
11 Medical Park Drive, Suite 103 | Pamona, NY 10970
845.362.3400 • www.newcitydentalpomona.com
Occupational Therapy for Toddlers to Teens! SPOTS provides Occupational Therapy evaluations, individual and group therapy services. We are committed to improving: • Sensory Processing Skills New • Fine and Gross Motor Skill Development Orangeburg • Handwriting Remediation Location • Social Skills • Attention and Self-Regulation Skills Call us today for a complimentary phone consultation to see how occupational therapy can help your child.
S P
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30 Ramland Road Orangeburg, NY 10962 845-848-2228 | www.SPOTSOT.com
Lipson Family Coaching
Strengthening your Family
MELISSA LIPSON Child & Family Coach
Join our Winter 2020 Social Skills Group where children learn to make friends, regulate emotions, Mondays Ages 5-8 yrs & Ages 9-12 yrs
Thursdays Ages 5-8 yrs & Ages 9-12 yrs
Combination Classes Ages 5-12 yrs
If schedule times do not work or if interested in private sessions, please contact us.
(914) 649-6923 • www.lipsonfamilycoaching.com 275 Route 304, Suite 500, Bardonia, NY 10954 RocklandParent 35
kid’s life
Is Your Child Being Cyberbullied? Learn how to read the signs, and how to help By Emma Steven
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January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
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ow that our kids are interacting on the Internet more than ever, the age-old act of bullying has gone from the playground to online. According to the Cyber Bullying Research Center, 36.5 percent of children aged 12-17 years old say they have been cyberbullied. While there are now apps like mSpy that allow parents to monitor their child’s communication online, it’s difficult to predict or prevent a child from being a target.
Know the Warning Signs There are, however, some important things to look for so you can stay alert and offer support. Stopping or starting social media accounts: If you notice your child is suddenly using her phone (or other devices) more or less than usual, take note—especially if she is wary to discuss it. Another important red flag is if she shuts down existing social media accounts and/or open new ones. “If you see that your kid is not interested in their phone, that’s a big sign,” says Ross Ellis, founder and CEO of STOMP Out Bullying, the leading bullying prevention nonprofit. Emotional texting: Does he get upset or angry when a text or email comes in? Does he laugh hysterically at something but won’t explain why? It’s important to pay attention to unusual emotional reactions to online communication—it could mean your child is feeling uncomfortable with something that’s developing.
Mood swings: Kids who are being cyberbullied often become withdrawn and depressed, and lose interest in activities, Ellis says. She can also become angry or anxious or complain of feeling ill more often. Take any change in mood seriously. Behavioral changes: Ellis also recommends looking out for a decline in grades, or changes in eating and sleeping habits. Your child may also change his route home from school or start refusing to go to school all together. Secrecy: Tweens and teens are notoriously private but it’s wise to start investigating if your child starts to seem much more concerned about hiding her screen. Avoiding friends: If your child suddenly wants to avoid certain social situations, like hanging out with a specific group of friends, or doing a certain activity, he may be being bullied, Ellis says.
How You Can Help If you think your child might be a victim, it’s important to offer her support—but approach it delicately. Ellis recommends talking in general terms rather than asking directly. For example: “I’m reading a lot about cyberbullying and bullying and it’s really happening a lot. Does it happen at your school? on Do you know anyone it’s happeningSaving to?” Even money if she doesn’t open up, it’s important to reinforce that are York there for her, a you New City you love her, and will do your best to help. family day is easy! If you find out he is being cyberbullied, stopbullying. gov recommends keeping a record and screenshots, then reporting directly to the social media platform as well as your child’s school. If your child is receiving threats of violence or worse, or if a crime or illegal behavior is happening, report it to the police. Cityguideny.com has Finally, make sure your child knows the rules of the cyber coupons and discounts for road. “A parent has to be computer savvy,” Ellis says. “You NYC sightseeing attractions, have to communicate with your kidsrestaurants, constantly.stores It’s not a more. oneand time conversation. Parents need to raise responsible digital Great New Yorktheir deals, citizens because if they don’t, there’s a possibility kids are savings, special offers and going to bully someone, or they will be bullied.” deep discounts—for you and For more help and support, visit stompoutbullying.org your family—are yours and with staysafeonline.org. just a click of the mouse.
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Health Care
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Dr. Alpert is excited to offer drill free, needle free dentistry with the Solea CO2 Laser. Her practice offers comfortable cosmetic dentistry for the entire family including implants and full mouth reconstruction if necessary. Dental Wellness of Suffern provides natural, effective, quality dental care to make your visit as enjoyable, comfortable, and relaxing as possible. A parent herself, Dr. Alpert enjoys working with children who are apprehensive about the dentist, creating a fun environment with magic tricks, a wall mural, and a Find the Dental Helpers game.
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Dr. Marita Smith is a board-certified pediatric dentist dedicated to providing excellent dental care for children from infancy through adolescence in a warm and friendly environment. As a mother of two, Dr. Smith knows how important it is for a child to be comfortable and stress-free during their dental visits. Dr. Smith places great focus on prevention and her goal is to keep your child’s smile healthy! Most insurances accepted. Evening and Saturday hours and 24-hour emergency service available. Se Habla Espanol.
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TUTORS & TEST PREP WhizKidz Tutoring LLC
Serving Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen Counties, and Long Island 914-200-3512 whizkidztutoring.com emaltz@whizkidztutoring.com WhizKidz Tutoring provides top notch tutoring services for students of all ages. You can count on us to help boost your child’s confidence in school, develop a healthy relationship with learning, and improve grades across every subject.
RocklandParent 37
PARTY
Central
Party Entertainment
Characters On Call
Serving Rockland and Bergen Counties 845-215-9651 facebook.com/charactersoncall Characters On Call provides quality character entertainment at great prices! Whether you’re looking for a princess, superhero, mermaid, or cuddly friend, we are ready to help you.
Fudgie the Clown and Mystique the Magician
Serving Rockland and Bergen counties 201-825-7481 fudgietheclown.com Invite Fudgie or Mystique to your next party, picnic, or event! A professional family entertainer specializing in magic, face painting, and balloon animals. Ask about mid-week special rates. Fully insured.
Inflatable Party Adventures
Serving Rockland, Northern New Jersey, Westchester 845-267-2022 inflatablepartyadventures.com Premier state-of-the-art inflatables and entertainment equipment at a price that can’t be beat. Every rental includes our risk-free rain policy. We specialize in delivering the type of fun guaranteed to make your next event one to be remembered and talked about for years to come.
SweetGuy Ice Cream Truck
Serving Rockland and Bergen since 2011 845-499-5480 sweetguyicecream.com sweetguyicecream@gmail.com Invite SweetGuy to your child’s birthday party and get some really sweet extras! We provide a photo booth and props for souvenir photos. The birthday child will get a free t-shirt and a guest server spot onboard the SweetGuy Ice Cream truck!
Party Gifts Tilly...A Deer’s Tale
914-764-5564 tillyadeerstale.com Tilly...A Deer’s Tale is about a real deer that lives in upstate New York and faces challenges after an accident. This powerful story is meant to inspire children living with physical challenges or limitations. The book makes a great birthday gift!
Toyriffic2 Toy Store
1581 Route 202, Pomona 845-362-6053 toyriffic2.com; toyriffic2@aol.com Looking for the perfect birthday gift? Come visit our unique toy store in Pomona. We offer a great selection of Melissa & Doug crafts and many other quality, affordable, educational toys, crafts, games, and puzzles for kids of all ages, both boys and girls.
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Your local guide to en tertainers, party places, activities, an d other resources.
Party Places Abrakadoodle Art Studio for Kids
53 Prospect Place, Hillsdale 201-383-0027 abrakadoodle.com; kroberts@abrakadoodle.com Paint, slime, draw, fun, clay, and glitter are all the cool things we do at our studio! Abrakadoodle has been serving the community for more than 13 years offering Artie Parties and “no school Workshops” for ages 3 and older.
The Academy For Martial Arts
8 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg 845-359-4500 rocklandkarate.com 7-11 Suffern Place, Suffern 845-368-3209 martialartssuffern.com A karate party is a great way to enter the world of martial arts. It’s also a great way for experienced students to share the martial arts with friends and family. Spacious, fully-equipped facility, an energetic, cheerful, and professional staff, and martial arts-themed fun and games.
Bach to Rock - Nanuet
150 E. Route 59, Nanuet 845-215-9536 nanuet.b2rmusic.com; nanuet@bachtorock.com Bach to Rock offers birthday parties for kids of all ages and adults. Call to find out more about The Rock Birthday Party, Karaoke Birthday Party, and The Rock City Birthday Party!
Jill’s Ceramics
180 Germonds Road, West Nyack 845-623-4975 jillceramics.com; jillsceramics@aol.com We offer a fully equipped ceramics and plaster studio where children and adults let their creativity run wild. Parties for kids include paper goods, a painter’s hat for the birthday child signed by their friends, and an item for each child to paint.
New City Bowl and Batting Cages
90 N. Main St., New City 845-634-4977 newcitybowlandbattingcages.com We are well known for our great birthday party packages and offer Glow Bowling for Sunday parties. All parties include bowling, shoe rental, food, paper goods, invitations, setup, and cleanup.
Now You’re Talking - Birthday Parties!
43 S. Liberty Drive, Stony Point 845-533-5544 nowyouretalkingspeech.com We offer the perfect party space for an affordable, customizable birthday event for kids age 3 and younger. DIY or premium themed party options. Packages start at just $150 for up to 12 kids.
Paint Our Pottery
66 Route 9W, Haverstraw 845-553-9002 paintourpottery.com
January 2020 | nymetroparents.com
We offer fun and creative ceramic birthday parties where each child gets to take home their own hand-painted creation! You choose party packages that can include decorations, food, and themed items. All parties include painting supplies and party coordinator.
Palisades Climb Adventure
4590 Palisades Center Drive, level 4 of the Palisades Center, West Nyack 845-727-3500 palisadesclimb.com Palisades Climb Adventure offers the world’s tallest indoor ropes challenge course with 75 unique challenge elements. Our Sky Tykes kids’ ropes course is designed for ages 2-7. Both courses are available for birthday parties. Book your party today!
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics and Fitness
401 Market St., Nanuet Mall South, Nanuet 845-623-2553 tumble-beegymnastics.com Our bright, colorful facility is the perfect place for your child’s private birthday party (ages 1-12) We provide wonderful, exciting, and energetic party instructors. Also, free invitations, paper products, and utensils for the kids. The birthday child receives a free gift and balloons. Reserve in advance. They book quickly!
Urban Air Adventure Park
69 Wesley St., South Hackensack 201-212-6454 Also in Milltown and Avenel, NJ urbanairtrampolinepark.com Take your child’s birthday party experience into the stratosphere. The perfect place for stress-free, indoor birthday parties for boys, girls, kids, and teens. More than just a trampoline park, Urban Air is a unique indoor adventure park with something for everyone.
Vicki’s Dance Studio and Kreative Kids
61 Maple Ave., New City 845-634-2202 vickistudio.com We offer great birthday parties for boys and girls of all ages with a variety of themed options such as Hip-Hop Dance Party and Games Mix, Jumping Gymnastics, Disney Dance Mix, and Dress-up Princess Party!
Vision Sports Club Youth Fit Zone
37 W. Jefferson Ave., Pearl River 845-517-1427 parties visionsportsclub.com Our fun-filled parties are 1½ hours with one hour of games and activities of your choice in our 7000-squarefoot Sports Zone, private party room, pizza, and drinks.
West Rock Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex 21 Pralle Lane, Nanuet 845-623-3636 westrockindoor.com West Rock offers the ultimate place to hold your birthday party. Our unique and versatile facility boasts 40-foot ceilings, 26,000-square-feet of turf, two regulation-size basketball courts, six Har-Tru tennis courts, indoor bouncers, and private party room.
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Mitzvah Market magazine Your Source for Ideas & Inspiration
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Mıtzvah Market 2019-2020
MITZVAHMARKET.COM
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A Year in the
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City
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Davler Media Group Fax: 212.271.2239 • Call: 914.290.4716 Email: Distribution@davlermedia.com 213 W 35th St. Suite 12W, New York, NY 10001
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CHECKLIST, Budget Worksheet and TIMELINE
MITZVAH PROJECTS
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Photo Credit: André Maier
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Index
Jill’s Ceramics
Acrobatics / Gymnastics
Developmental
Therapy ....................................... 22
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................ 13
Now You’re Talking Speech
Smile More Dentistry ................... 19
• KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Therapy ....................................... 22
Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric
• ADULTS’ NIGHT OUT
Dentistry.................................. 8. 37
• Specialty Items For Every Holiday
Birthday / Party Services Palisades Climb Adventure ........... 13 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................ 13 Urban Air Adventure Park............... 2 West Rock Indoor......................... 19
Camps Camp Ramaquois .................. 12, 33 Lindgren School & Camp Holiday Craft Fair...................................... 33 West Rock Indoor......................... 19
Child Care / Day Care JCC of Rockland ............................ 3 Mommybites.......................... 37, 39 St Catharine Early Childhood
Education
Spots OT...................................... 35
• Walk-ins Welcome
Blue Rock School ......................... 12
Play Spaces
JCC of Rockland ............................ 3
Urban Air Adventure Park............... 2
Call for Extended Group Hours/Pricing and Current Weekend Hours
Lindgren School & Camp Holiday Craft Fair...................................... 33
Religious
St Catharine Early Childhood
Archdiocese of New York ............... 5
Center ........................................ 21
Restaurant / Food Services................
Young World Day School ................ 8
Palisades Center ............................ 7
Look us up on Facebook
Mon, Tues & Weds 9 30am-300pm; Thurs 700pm-930pm; Friday Kids Classes 300-500pm
180 Germonds Rd. West Nyack, NY • 845-623-4975 • www.jillsceramics.com
Family Entertainment / Events / Outings
Retail
Palisades Center ............................ 7
Tilly...A Deer’s Tale........................ 22
Palisades Climb Adventure ........... 13
Tinker Active .................................. 8
Palisades Center ............................ 7
Center ........................................ 21
Classes
Fitness
Lipson Family Coaching................ 35
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................ 13
Now You’re Talking Speech
JCC of Rockland ............................ 3
• Paint & Go or Glaze & Fire
Archdiocese of New York ............... 5
Urban Air Adventure Park............... 2
Danceworks ................................ 35
Where children & adults create their own functional works of art
Special Needs
Therapy ....................................... 22
St Catharine Early Childhood
Health
Smile More Dentistry ................... 19
Center ........................................ 21
Clemente Orthodontics ................ 22
Spots OT...................................... 35
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................ 13
Crystal Run Healthcare................. 44
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................ 13
Young World Day School ................ 8
Dental Wellness of Suffern...... 21, 37 Lipson Family Coaching................ 35
Sports
Dance
New City Dental........................... 35
Palisades Climb Adventure ........... 13
Danceworks ................................ 35
Now You’re Talking Speech
West Rock Indoor......................... 19
NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area!
Need to plan the perfect party?
FIND venues, entertainers, suppliers, and other ideas to create the ideal party in our online Parent Resources Directory.
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last word
What is your New Year’s resolution for your kids?
“To make their own fun instead of curating every moment for them. When I was a kid, I remember some of the most fun times I had were just exploring the backyard or rearranging my bedroom furniture. I get so caught up in cramming every moment of the weekend with activities, I don’t give them enough time to make their own.” —Andrea Worthington (@babygotchat), Westchester County
“I wish for a greater sense of confidence for my daughter, and for a continued self-growth and self-mastery for my son. He’s got quite the temper.” —Jessica Arinella, Westchester County
“My resolutions for my son are to get him to keep his room decently clean and to teach him basic cooking skills. He’s resistant to both!” —Aimee Hartstein, Long Island
“To travel as often as possible, and to learn and grow outside the classroom. We were fortunate to take a couple of trips outside the country last year and we want to keep capitalizing on this curiosity as often as possible for 2020.” —Beth Beckman (@littlekidnyc), Manhattan
“After years of begging, we finally caved in and got a lovely puppy, Alfie. My hope for the New Year is that they get up at 6:30am and walk him. Of course, for them to be happy, healthy, and adventurous...but most importantly be kind to others and give back.” —Cynthia Barron, Brooklyn
Being content with who they are, keeping their heads up high, always being nice, and trying as hard as they can to ignore the nastiness that comes from kids around them (which often occurs when no adult is present to see or hear it).” —Stacey Gish Wallenstein (@ themintchipmama), Long Island
“Slow down in the New Year. With so many commitments and after-school schedules, I’d like for us all to stop rushing and enjoy the little moments together, have more impromptu dance parties, tea parties, movie nights—you know!” —Brianne Manz (@strollerinthecity), Manhattan
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Celebrate ! Party Showcase
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CelebrateShowcase.com RocklandParent 43 CelebrateFlyers_RE.indd 1
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3
EAR, NOSE AND THROAT SPECIALISTS
Rockland County residents are fortunate to have an exceptional ENT team close to home. Crystal Run Healthcare’s expertly trained specialists treat numerous conditions, from hearing loss to sleep apnea, sinusitis to vertigo, as well as chronic sore throats, tonsillitis, thyroid disease, and more.
Our world-class ENT team provides comprehensive care for children and adults for ear, nose, throat, head and neck disorders Your body from the neck upwards contains numerous complicated organs, systems and potential health challenges. Hearing, taste and breathing are all located here, as well as the thyroid, thymus, tonsils, tongue and many more. Do you have trouble breathing, speaking, hearing, or have vertigo? Is snoring disturbing your sleep or someone else’s? Crystal Run Healthcare’s board-certified Otolaryngologists have the advanced training and state-of theart medical and surgical skills to provide innovative care for these and many other disorders. At Crystal Run Healthcare, our doctors are dedicated to helping you to breathe and hear clearly and rest easy. Make an appointment today.
2 Centerock Road | West Nyack, NY 10994 To book an appointment call 845.764.4850 or we’ll call you: www.CrystalRunHealthcare.com/callback
Pictured: Sam Spinowitz, MD (Otolaryngology)
RocklandParent_73x96_ENT(Spinowitz).indd 1
12/12/19 11:41 AM